• Published 20:13 17.09.09
  • Latest update 23:09 29.01.10

Top IDF officer: Iran has taken over Hezbollah

Israeli intelligence: Hezbollah currently weakened, key positions manned by Iranians.

By Anshel Pfeffer Tags: Hezbollah Iran Lebanon Israel news

A senior Israel Defense Forces officer said Thursday that all five incidents of rocket fire from southern Lebanon into Israel since the end of the 2006 Second Lebanon War have been carried out in absolute defiance of Hezbollah directives and that Iran had taken control over the Lebanese militia.

The officer, who preferred to remain unnamed, said that Hezbollah was in a weakened state as a result of activity of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in the southern part of the country - a Hezbollah stronghold - and the objection of many southern Lebanon residents to reconstruction of Hezbollah posts and weapons caches south of the Litani River.

According to the officer, Hezbollah now operates freely only in Shiite villages and towns.

IDF intelligence has surmised that Iran's Revolutionary Guard has increased its control over Hezbollah in recent years and is preventing the Lebanese militia from forming its own independent structure.

Intelligence experts attribute this increase in Iranian control to Iran's displeasure over Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah's conduct during the Second Lebanon War, which the group fought against Israel in southern Lebanon. Experts also believe that the assassination of Hezbollah operations chief Imad Mughniyeh, who has yet to be replaced, also played a role in this process, as many of operational positions within Hezbollah are now held by Iranians.

Hezbollah suffered another blow recently when an investment advisor who was caught up in an embezzlement scandal caused the organization immense financial losses. The IDF believes that Hezbollah is not interested in sparking another round of fighting against Israel, concluding that should Hezbollah carry out a revenge attack over Mughniyeh's assassination, for which it blames Israel, it will only be done against an Israeli target abroad so as to try to prevent an Israeli retaliation.

The IDF officer also said that the five incidents of rocket fire into Israel from southern Lebanon were carried out by Al-Qaida inspired Palestinian groups based in a refugee camp where Hezbollah holds no sway.

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  • 11. 0 0
    #6 maori boy - Just to let you know
    • *BEN JABO
    • 05.11.09
    • 03:59

    AIPAC isn't shipping arms to America nor is she able to take over America ON the other hand, it seems lunacy has taken over your way of thinking

  • 10. 0 0
    #4 S VIPER 500 Tons isn't trash
    • *BEN JABO
    • 05.11.09
    • 03:57

    Defintely intended for deat and destruction How would you like some in your back or front yards?

  • 9. 0 0
    TO NO 8.
    • DANNY.
    • 04.11.09
    • 22:18

    ISRAEL MUST DESTROY ALL IRANS NUCLEAR FACILLITIES, AND I THINK THE ONLY WAY IS TO NUKE THE FACILLITIES. SOME ADVICE FOR THOSE YOUNG IRANIANS LEAVE YOUR COUNTRY WHILE YOU CAN.

  • 8. 0 0
    Hezbolah=Iran=Act of WAR=Declaration of War
    • Do The Math
    • 04.11.09
    • 17:35

    Hezbolah is run and armed by Iran. They are taught to fight by War Crimes (Bombing Civilians). Hezbolah is at war with Israel. Iran is at war with Israel. Sending a missle into Israel is a Declaration of War By Iran. It is also a War Crime By Iran.............

  • 7. 0 0
    really you just figured that out?
    • Chaim Ben Kahan
    • 18.09.09
    • 11:56

    As I recall reading, hearing, seeing was that Hizbollah weapons have had Persian writing for some time and Iranian advisers and units. We knew this and we knew Iran funded Hizbollah so I think it was safe to assume Iran was running Hezbollah as well! Do you need to be some top officer to figure this out?

  • 6. 0 0
    Racketing up the rhetoric 2nd try
    • maoriboy
    • 18.09.09
    • 09:43

    Top IDF officer:" Iran has taken over Hezbollah." And the AIPAC has taken over America?

  • 5. 0 0
    Iran is taking over....
    • MiddleStanian
    • 18.09.09
    • 08:54

    The US Middle East foreign policies in the last 2 decades, which are aimed at serving the interests of large US corporates, and more military spending, has strengthened Iran. The CIA support to Islamists (Bin Laden, and many before him) since the 70's, to countervail communist influence has paved the way for the an Islamic regime like Iran to take over. Iran has been already in control of Hizbullah, and had considerable influence on many Arab states like Iraq, Lebanon, and many more. Unless US foreign policy shifts towards serving the American people (and not corporate America), Iran is expected to take over much more than Hizbullah. The free world and the "Free World" must learn from its mistakes. No more Bin Ladens are to be allowed.

  • 4. 0 0
    israel is now a circus
    • VIPER
    • 18.09.09
    • 07:06

    is this meant to be serious?, what timing, iran is getting closer to a bomb so israel comes up with this trash, give me a break will ya.

  • 3. 0 0
    rubbish
    • Paul
    • 17.09.09
    • 23:03

    More "by way of deception" from the masters of self serving chronic lying.

  • 2. 0 0
  • 1. 0 0
    lol what a joke
    • who cares
    • 17.09.09
    • 22:07